Annual Banquet Of The Faith Lodge Of Instruction, No. 141.

Bro . Cottebrune gave to the lodge , and the pains he took in the instruction of the members during the past twentyjix years , while he had been the Preceptor . In responding Bro . Cottebrune thanked the brethren for the way in which they had received the toast , and hoped he misfit be spared to continue those duties for some years to come . Th ,. health of the . " Visitors " was heartily given and received .

bio . rlurdctt-Coutts in responding said—Bro . President , Wardens and Brethren , it affords me infinite pleasure to visit this old lodge , of which I have heard so much . It had been my wish during my year of Mastership to have become a member of your lodge , and avail myself of the instruction afforded in the duties required for that office . From my knowledge of Bro . Cottebrune , I am led to believe it is of the highest quality . I regret that I have never been

able to carry out my wishes in that respect , in consequence of my numerous engagements . It is one of the regulations of Freemasonry , and I think a wise one , to exclude politics from our meetings . At present my head is so full of that particular subject that I find it difficult to refrain from saying something about some such subject as the "Contagious Diseases Act , " or possibly " Local Option . " In response to the kind expressions which fell from Bro . Cottebrune regaiding the Baroness I beg to tender him my thanks , and

you brethren for the hearty manner in which they were received . I sometimes feel as if I ought to join in giving tributes of admiration to that good and noble lady , than in returning thanks , as in my position I am called upon to do . It afforded me considerable pleasure to hear of the ubiquitous character of the lodge , as in that I think it must have rendered good service in the past to members of the Craft generally . I beg therefore to return you my sincere thanks for the way you have received my name and that of the Baroness .

Bro . Woodruff also replied , stating the great pleasure he felt in attending that evening in supporting his old friend Bro . Cottebrune . Bro . Cross responded on behalf of the Treasurer and Secretary , and a very pleasant evening was brought to a close . During the evening the enjoyment was much enhanced by songs from Bros . ' Hawley , G . F . Edwards , Coop , Tonkin and Collens .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

At the Standard next week , commencing 23 rd , we are promised a great treat . Miss Bertie Crawford , the celebrated Tennessee nightingale , will appear for the first time in England in a musical drama called "Capers . " We understand it is a play after the style of " Fun on the Bristol . " In America Miss Crawford is a great favourite and well known .

* Miss Minnie Palmer will take possession of the Strand Theatre on December 28 th . She will play her old piece " My Sweetheart . " At present she is playing to large audiences in Edinburgh , Liverpool , and the chief cities of the provinces . She is sure to receive a hearty welcome again in London , where _ she madei ^ so many friends .

* s * Miss Fortescue , who has been charming- the East-enders this week at the Standard , goes on Monday for a week to the Grand , where doubtless she will have equally crowded houses to witness her in " Frou Frou " and " Pygmalion and Galatea . " This popular young lady has had a most successful tour in the provincial toivns , and is acknowledged to have made her mark on the stage . We believe she will now rest a while .

* * " The Theatre " under its new publishers keeps up to its old reputation . The current number contains a portrait , bv Mr . Barraud , of Miss Laura Linden , in costume , as Olivia , in the burlesque of " The Wicked Vicar

of Wideawakefield . " Mr . George Barrett is the subject of the other photograph . The letterpress is replete with interest , and , after being read , is useful to keep as a book of reference , dealing as it does with all the present plays , xvhich in after years one sometimes likes to look over .

* * * For the present , the last days of " Falka " are announced at the Avenue , to make way for the long talked of extravaganza at Christmas of " Kenilworth , " written up to date by Mr . R . Reece , music by Mr . H . B . Farnie . The

cast will include , it is rumoured , Mr . Arthur Roberts , Bro . Dallas , Miss Violet Cameron , Miss Constance Gilchrist , Miss Phyllis Broughton , and Miss Laura Linden . With such an array of beauty and talent in the principals the burlesque ought to draw .

& V fc-The Bros . Gatli have reproduced " The Colleen Bawn" at the Adelphi , where it is nightly received with the same enthusiasm as welcomed it 25 years ago , when Mr . Dion Boucicault first brought it out , but owing , wc believe , to certain contracts , it will be withdrawn , still in all its fresh popularity , at Christmas , for Bros . Sims and

Pettitt ' s new drama dealing on the life of the sailor , as " In thc Ranks "did with that of the soldier . We , therefore , advise those who would like to see this pretty Irish drama to go soon . Miss Mary Rorke is the Colleen Bawn , and pathetically she plays her part . Mr . Sullivan , Mr . Berridge , Miss Millward , and Bro . Crawford are the principals in the play , and all do their respective parts to thc satisfaction of every one .

B * * " On 'Change , " which we noticed with so much pleasure at the time of its production , is nightly advancing in public favour . It has been altered slightly , the ladies ' parts being cut down , they not being relevant to the piece ,

while Mr . Felix Morris and Mr . Farren have had their parts considerably augmented . " On 'Change " is not a one part play ; it gives scope for acting on the part of every member of the cast . Mr . Felix Morris , though not a Scotchman , has the absolutely true Caledonian accent , and , together with his mannerism , nothing has been seen on

The Theatres.

the English stage to surpass him in such apart . The piece is to be moved to the Strand Theatre on the 28 th inst . for four weeks , until Miss Minnie Palmer requires that theatre . "On 'Change" will then probablv be played at the R ° J y * ' „ . ,

At the Gaiety the pretty comic opera of " Billee Taylor " has been lately revived in its former home . It was first broughtout at the Imperial in 1 SS 0 , and r . ince then , whenever and wherever it has been produced , it has had a successful run . This is not to be wondered at , for it is sparkling with fun , is not too long , being in only two acts , the music is pretty and catching , and the cast is the best one could wish for . " Billee Taylor " is the only really

successful opera of Messrs . Stephens and Solomon . Miss Marion | Hood sings and acts charmingly as Phrebe Fairleigh . Her vocalisation merits all the applause she receives from the audience , and her impersonation does a great deal towards lending fresh interest to the present revival . Miss Harriet Coveney , who takes the part of Eliza , is the only one of the original cast . Her scenes with Ben Barnacle are among the funniest in thc whole piece . Mr . Arthur

Roberts , as Ben Barnacle , the sailor , is for once not Mr . Roberts ; he seems to leave himself . His song , " All on account of Eliza , " is encored again and again . Mr . Breeden appears again as the gardener . Bro . T . Squire , Mr . Jarvis , and Miss Bellwood are amongst the rest of the company . The opera is bsautifully put on the stage . The burlesque on "The Vicar of Wakefield" follows , and

runs even with more merriment and ease than before . It provokes unceasing laughter . Mr . Roberts has a capital topical song , " So says the Postman's Sister . " Miss Laura Linden ' s impersonation of Miss Ellen Terry is a marvellous piece of acting and making up . There is not much likelihood of a change being required here during the tenure of the house bv its present occupiers .

* * The story of "Erminie" recalls to one ' s mind the tale of Robert Macaire , and the music of Mr . Jakabowski—whoever he may be—suggests a good many melodies one has heard before ; nevertheless , it must be owned that if not quiet new the present opera at the Comedy is very pretty , and should be a success . A young gentleman is on his way to be married to Mdlle . Erminie , daughter of

the Marquis de Ponvert ; he is robbed by two thieves , who tie him to a tree and make off with his portmanteau containing his papers , and one of the robbers—Ravenarpresents himself to the Marquis as his intended son-in-law . Erminie is in love with her father ' s secretary , Eugenie Marcel , to whom in the end she is united . The adventures of the gaol birds make a more that usually interesting comic opera , specially so when Mr . Wyatt and Mr . H .

Paulton are the representatives of the villains . The topical song of the latter , " What the dickey birds say , " with a whistling chorus , is delivered with dry fun which convulses the house ; but it would be in better taste to omit a verse referring to the late trial at thc Old Bailey . Miss Florence St . John is the same as always , full of spirit , beautifully dressed , and sings with her wonted force . She is a host in herself . " When love is young , all

the world seems gay , " a dream song , and a lullaby in the second act are certain to be popular . Bro . Bracy ( 1319 ) sings his song , "The darkest hour , " with all possible expression , and his rich clear tenor is heard in the duets with the same satisfaction . The chorus singing is also excellent , the freshest piece of melody in the opera being a glee , " Good night , " sung without accompaniment . Miss Edith Vane , as Marie , sings a capital ditty called

" Woman s dress , and secures great favour from the audience . We wonder this lady is not more popular in London . Miss St . John , the heroine , dresses in her usually exquisite style . Miss Violet Melnotte , the lessee of the theatre , who is content with a small part as companion to Erminie , dresses in similar good taste , and even perhaps in finer costumes than Miss St . John . Miss Kate Munroe , as a soubrette , is exceedingly lively ; but we do not understand

how she has such a second-rate part after her late efforts as principal . Miss Everleigh makes an excellent , dashing officer . Miss Victor and Mr . Bolini contribute further fun in their respective parts . The opera is splendidly mounted . Miss Melnotte seems to have spared no expense ; she certainly bids for popularity , and does all that fine acting ,

smart clothes , and pretty music can do to make " Erminie " go down . It has been played in Birmingham and Brighton for a week , and took there well . The Comedy Theatre has been done up , and made to look brighter . A new drop curtain has been introduced , and many other improvements , under Mr . GilbertTate ' s superintendence , to attract patrons , which there can be little doubt it will do .

tt # 05 If "The Fay o' Fire" serves no other purpose than that of introducing two acquisitions to the London operatic stage , it will not have been given for nothing . Mdlle . De Laporte is a young lady endowed with several personal attractions and a fine voice , which she knows well how to display advantageously , specially in her solo , " Through lightning and storm . " The other lady , Miss Marie

Tempest , has a sweet and powerful voice , which she uses with exquisite skill , and bids fair to take a high place in the ranks of the sopranos . We think we recognise her as a lady who has sung for some time at St . James's Hall concerts . " The Fay o' Fire " was brought out last Saturday for the first time on any stage . It is not adapted from the French , lt is a romantic opera in two acts by Mr . Henry Herman and Mr . Edward ( ones , musical director at the

Princess ' s Theatre ; but not to be confounded with Mr . Herman ' s collaborateur ( Herman and ) of "Silver King " celebrity . Mr . Herman in " Claudian " made his audience grasp the idea of a century between the prologue and the first act . Having been successful once , he makes the venture again , and we have the lirst act in 13 S 5 and the

second in 1885 . The Fay o Fire is a queen ot demons , who has fallen madly in love with Egobat , who is enticed by her musical charms , and is led to forsake his fiancee , Lady Blanche , daughter of the Earl of Landogough . The romance consists in " Ina " preserving not only the love , but the youth and the handsome features of Egobat during 500 years . For herself , she is still realms of the fated

The queen of the ; I reign amidst shrieks and despair , And my name is but known to be hated ; A word that warns men to beware . In the second act—period 1 S 85—Egobat wanders about , and comes across the Duke of Landogough and his charming daughter , Lady Blanche , in the ruins of the castle . He

The Theatres.

falls in love with the daughter , and becomes thc husband of a lady whose ancestor he had rejected 500 years before . Mr . Walsham is Egobat , a character he plays well . His fine tenor voice is in excellent form just now , and he sings many pretty solos and duets . Mr . Fred Leslie is the carl and duke of the two periods , and performs his portion in the manner he always does ; but he has not a part good enough for his talents . Of course , there is the usual

topical song , in which allusion is made to a distinguished politician's phrase of "a cow and three acres of land . " Tho song will very likely become popular . We wonder at Mr . Leslie using the author ' s stupid words in calling ' people a " quadrangular safety pin , " " an elongated hoppole , " and " an oxidised professional beauty searcher "—

phrases which have no meaning in them , and are devoid of the least wit . The scenery , dresses , and the mounting could not be prettier ; but whether " The Fay o' Fire " will take hold of the public is a little doubtful , although it seems to have been well received . At any rate , it is worth seeing and hearing .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . C . T . SPEIGHT . Wc announce with regret the death of a highly-respected veteran , who had done the Masonic state some service , and whose loss will be greatly felt by the numerous lodges with which he was officially connected . The deceased was initiated in the Egyptian Lodge , No . 27 , in 1 S 37 , and in 1843 rose to be its VV . M . He was also for some years a joining

member of the Justice Lodge , No . 147 . It was , however , as a Tyler that he was best known and most respected , and will always be remembered . As to our enumerating the bodies for which he acted in this capacity , it would be nigh impossible . Let it suffice if we state that he tyled No . 4 ; Royal Alpha , No . 16 ; and other among the mostdistinguished London lodges , that he was Prov . G . Tvler of

Surrey , and G . Tyler of the Mark G . Lodge of England and Wales , & c . It should also be mentioned that the deceased , and his father before him , tyled St . Michael's , No . 211 , for the long period of between Go and 70 years , a fact which , as much as any other we are acquainted with in his career , demonstrates how highly appreciated were his services , and how enduring the regard in which he was

held . Bro . Speight s death comes upon us somewhat as a surprise . We understand that as lately as Saturday last he was in harness , but out of health , it being not improbable that he had never fully recovered from the death , some time since , of his wife . We offer our respectful sympathy to his family and the large circle of those . whose friendship he so greatly prized .

BRO . F . HOCKLEY , P . M ., P . G . STWD . We regret that it devolves upon us to announce the death of Bro . Hockley , P . G . Stwd ., for several years , and Secretary of the Grand Stewards' Lodge . Bro . Hockley was a well kr . own and much respected London Mason , who quietly pursued the even tenour of his way , and yet missed no opportunity that presented itself of doing good solid Masonic

work . His presence will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him . He was initiated in the British Lodge , No . 8 , in 1 S 64 , and was elected VV . M . in 1 S 0 S , being also in the latter year a Grand Steward , and joining the Grand Stewards' Lodge . He was also a Royal Arch Mason , having been exalted in the British Chapter , No , S , in 1 S 66 .

BRO . JOHN JAMES . We hear with deep regret of the demise of Bro . John James , of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 , which event occurred on Saturday , the 7 th inst , at his residence , at Streatham , after a short illness of rheumatic fever . Deceased , who was only in his 36 th year , had been a prominent member of his lodge , amongst the members of

which he was deservedly respected . He was also Sergeant in the 3 rd Surrey Rifle Volunteers , and as a last tribute of regard for their departed comrade , the members of the corps attended in full uniform , and the bier was literally embowered with wreaths , —emblems of affectionate esteem . The funeral took place at Tooting Cemeterv . when amonsrst

the chief mourners were Bros . H . J . Layton , 1571 , Morland , ] . Janes , Noyce and many others . The Volunteer Detachment was under the command of Sergt .-Major Short and the funeral was conducted with full military honors . Our deceased brother was deservedly respected by a wide circle of friends amongst whom his early demise is most sincerely deplored .

Ihe Ne-ui Zealand Freemason of the 15 th September last contains an article , which is very moderate in its tone , on the vexed question of the so-called G . Lodge of New South Wales , but which points out , reasonably enough , that "the assumption of central Masonic affairs by the minority" is out of the question . That is what we in England are saying , though it seems to strike some G . Lodges as being legitimate enough that the few should over-ride the many .

It is said " there is nothing new under the sun ;" but it strikes us as being a novelty of an exceptional character when we hear of a " Fish , Reptile , and Amphibie Depot , " such as is to be found at 177 , Euston-road , N . W ., being established in the very heart ot London . Even more surprising still is it to learn that the proprietors of this Depot are doing a large and thriving trade , especially in gold Iish , of which , it seems , they sell some 5000 per week .

to say nothing of other rare fish of the same class , the prices charged ranging from is . to £ 1 each . Nor is the business confined to gold Iish , for green tree-frogs , tortoises , salamanders , harmless snakes , beetles , earthworms , frogs for students to experiment upon , & c , have a ready sale , from 400 to 500 being sold in the week . If , as we have been given to understand , this is only the beginning of a new trade , and a Zoological Society , for the purpose of

buying and selling , is about to be formed , we can only express the hope that the business will prove as successful as it has been thus far , and that what has proved a prosperous enterprise in the outset will gradually establish itself as one of the "institutions" of London . Any of our readers who may he desirous of purchasing specimens for natural history purposes , will do well to pay a visit to the Depot in the Euston road . They will be received with courtesy , and will stand every chance of having their requirements satisfied .