Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

'the monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , President , Bro . James Brett , Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Junior Vice-President , occupied the three chairs . They were supported by a numerous attendance of brethren . when the

The Board of Masters was first held , agenda paper for next Grand Lodge of 2 nd June was submitted to the brethren . At the Board of Benevolence the brethren first confirmed grants recommended at last meeting to the amount of £ 445 . The new list contained 40 cases of candidates from Old Brompton , Harrogate , Plymouth , Tiverton , Stokesley , Exmouth , Bridgwater , Gateshead ,

Malta , Preston , Lichfield , Aldershot , St . Helena , Rotherham , Brightlingsea , North Walsham , Greenwich , London , Carlisle , Sunderland , Plumstead , Hayle , Middlesborough , Stourport , Antigua , Bromley ( Kent ) , Devonport , Kenilworth , Manchester , Dunstable , Stalybridge , Stockport , and Chichester . The PRESIDENT , at the commencement of the proceedings , announced that several letters had been received

from petitioners relieved at the April meeting , thanking the Board for the relief extended to them . During a sitting of nearly four hours the Board granted a total sum of ^ 875 . This was composed of one recommendation for jfioo ; three of £ 50 each ; three of £ 40 each ; and eight of £ 30 each ; eight grants were made of £ 20 each ; two of £ 15 each ; seven of £ 10 each ; and one ° f £ 5- One case was dismissed , and six cases were deferred .

Consecration Of The Surbiton Lodge, No. 2146, Surbiton.

CONSECRATION OF THE SURBITON LODGE , No . 2146 , SURBITON .

On Tuesday , this new Iodge in the Province of Surrey , was consecrated . It is held at the Maple Hall , Surbiton , which affords ample and excellent accomodation for the purpose . The R . W . Bro . J . S . Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . G . M . of Surrey , himself consecrated the lodge , assisted by

Bros , the Rev . Geoffrey Hughes , Prov . G . Chap . ; Perryman , A . G . P . ; Long , P . M . SS 9 ; Horsey , P . P . G . D . C ; and Morgan , P . M . 311 . There was a large assembly of brethren of all ranks , but the present bearers of office in the province were most conspicuous by their absence . Bro . Greenwood , jun ., acted as Secretary until the constitution of the new lodge and the investiture of the officers . Our

readers ace so well acquainted with the ritual of consecration that more need not be said than that the ceremony was ably performed , Bro . Horsey acting as D . C . The oration was given by Bro . Morgan , and Bro . Sebastian Hart , P . G . S . D ., P . M . 1 S 72 , was requested by the R . W . Prov . G . Master to install Bro . Gibbes , P . P . G . J . D ., P . M . 1 S 72 , as first Master of the Surbiton Lodge . This

was most impressively and accurately done , and Bro . Hart subsequently received the thanks of those assembled for the example of perfect emulation working he had given . The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . A . Storr , P . M . 165 S , S . W . ; Alex . Wilson , P . M . 129 S , J . W . ; J . H . Jarvis , Treasurer ; J . W . Allen , Secretary ; 0 newitt

rrams c . ran , o . u . ; . , j . u . ; w . uougias Voung , I . G . ; G . G . Budden , D . C ; J . Beck and F . Lockett , Stewards . Eight candidates for election , and one for joining were proposed , and after an expression of " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed in solemn form . A great proportion of the brethren afterwards partook of luncheon , after which the customary toasts were proposed .

The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER , referring to the new lodge , said that at first he had some doubt as to the presentation of the petition for a warrant , but after due enquiry he did so , and what he had heard and seen that day convinced him that he was right . Fourteen years ago ,

when he was placed in charge ot the Province of Surrey there were but nine lodges , and now they numbered 31 . Brethren would therefore see how difficult it was for him to select recipients for the "purple , " but he would now be able to add two more Deacons . Still , brethren must not be disappointed if they were not all put into office in the

province . The Wardens of the Surbiton Ledge are old and experienced Masons , and while Bro . Storr , S . W . ( whose brother is so widely known as " Charity Storr" ) extolled Charity , and exhorted the brethien to exercise it , Bro . Wilson ,

J . W ., dwelt upon the necessity of all attending a lodge of instruction . It was announced that the W . M . of the infant Masonic lodge would go up to the Girls' Festival on the following day , and 10 guineas were at once subscribed in the room for him to put on his Stewards' list .

The Phœnix Club.

THE PH ? NIX CLUB .

On Thursday , the 13 th inst ., a new club was founded , somewhat on the lines of the old K . T ., to be called the PhcEnix . There were present Sir Knights Capt . J . M . P , Montagu , Chairman ; C . Fendelow , Capt . C R . N . Beswicke-Royds , R . Costa , j . F . Twecdale , H . C . Burt , T , W . Coffin , R . Young , G . Cooper , W . J . Thomson , G . R .

Crickmay , and C . A . Newnham . The club meets on the night before Great Priory . It is eminently a social club , and is for the purpose of bringing together the knights who come from all parts of the kingdom to attend Great Priory on the following day . About 30 of the old K . T . ' s joined , and 16 new members were proposed . After the business was over the knights dined at the Holborn Restaurant , where an excellent banquet was provided .

We again call our readers' attention to the fact that next Thursday , the 27 th inst ., Mr . Daly ' s company , again under the management of Mr . Terriss , will open at the Strand , where they will remain for 10 weeks . They will give a series of their popular pieces , and we trust will receive a hearty response from their English cousins . No

doubt many of their own countrymen , who arc here for the Exhibition , will assist in the welcome which should be accorded to such funny plays as " A Night Off , " " She Would and She Wouldn't , " "The Country Girl , " & c . Mr . George Brown , who has reigned at the Avenue on several occasions with so much satisfaction to every one , will be the acting manager .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

NATIONAL GREAT PRIORY . The usual meeting' was held at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Friday , the 14 th inst . The following sir knights having assembled in the hall : Sir Knights F . W . Driver , R . A . Luck , G . J . Dunkley , G . Graveley , L . Steele , C . E . Bloomer , F . Newman , Sir Bruce Seton , F . Davison , H . T . Sparks , H . J . Mason , T . L . Smith , H . G . W . Drinkwater ,

C . Thornton , A . T . Simpson , C . F . Matier , K . C . T ., Henry Lovegrove , Rev . W . C . Lukis , U . S . Simonds , Eugene Monteuuis , R . F . Hall , J . N . Spencer , J . C . Wakefield , J . W . Messenger , ] . B . Sharp , J . C . Jones , G . A . Norris , J . R . F . Claridge , H . C . Heard , C . F . Millett , E . H . Thorn , W . Glynes , J . VV . Shepherd , G . Mickley , M . B ., A . G . Hcnnell , M . Hancock , A . Gaenuki , } . J . Hanley , J . VV .

Thomson , J . B . Fitzgerald , Rev . H . Cummings , I . Wood , A . H . Bateman , W . H . Hodgkin , W . G . Lemon , Sir F . Boileau , Bart ., J . Hilhouse , and others , an arch of steel was opened , and the Great Officers entered in procession . The Great Sub-Prior , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , took the throne , with Capt . N . G . Philips , Prior of East Anglia , on his right , and the following Great Officers and Past Great

Officers : Sir Knights A . F . Godson , Prov . Prior Worcestershire ; Major G . Lambert , Ralph Gooding , M . D ., J . L . Sim , R . H . Thrupp , G . Reg . ; R . Clutton , " G . Treas . ; C . G . ; Banister , Col . Haldane , J . Walker , Capt . Montagu , R . T . Thornton , E . Moore , C . A . Fendelow , C A . Newnham , Col . A . VV . Adair , Rev . H . R . Cooper Smith , G . Cooper , Wilhelm Ganz , H . Penfold , Capt . Beswick Royds ,

W . Reynold , R . Young , C . J . Hampden , E . Ashworth , C Goodden , J . VV . Monks , J . S . Cumberland , Raphael Costa , Baron de Ferrieres , H . Le Strange , J . W . Thompson , VV , Tinkler , and others . The National Great Priory was opened in due form , after which the Registrar called the muster roll . The minutes of the December meeting were read and confirmed .

The report of the council was taken as read , accepted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The following extract includes the most interesting portion : — "Very High and Eminent Grand Prior , "Your council has , with great regret , to report the death , on the 26 th of February last , of the Senior Prov . Prior , Very Eminent Sir Knt . Henry C . Vernon , in

command of the Province of Worcestershire . " You have been pleased to appoint , by patent , dated the 28 th day of April inst ., as his successor , the Provincial Sub-Prior , Very Eminent Sir Knt . Augustus Frederick Godson . " The Excelsior Preceptory , attached to the 1 st Battalion 21 st Fusiliers , having been in abeyance for the last 12

years , in consequence of the deaths of the members and changes in the officers of the Regiment , the warrant has been returned to head-quarters by the sole surviving member , Lieut .-Col . F . A . Jackson , through the hands of your Great Sub-Prior , Col . Shadivell H . Clerke , who formerl y held a command in the Battalion , and was one of the petitioners for the warrant .

" The Hyde Preceptory , in the Province of Dorsetshire , has , with the consent of the Prov . Prior , Capt . J . M . P . Montagu , been authorised to remove from Bridport to Wimborne , where it is hoped a more favourable field will be found for its operations . "

Grants were made to two sir knights and one widow from the Benevolent Fund . Sir Knight Ralph Clutton was re-elected Grand Treasurer . The following were then invested as officers by the Great Sub-Prior :

GREAT OFFICERS . Sir Knt . Rev . H . R . Cooper Smith ... High Prelate . „ A . Staveley Hill Chancellor . „ Col . E . C Malet de Carteret Constable . „ H . J . Sparks Marshal . „ Ralph Clutton Treasurer . „ R . H . Thrupp Registrar .

OFFICERS . Sir Knt . VV . Tinkler Vice-Chancellor . , » Col . Geo . Haldane Sub-Marshal . „ Rev . W . C . Lukis Almoner & Chap . „ Major Geo . Lambert Warden of Regalia . „ Frederic Davison Herald .

„ R . A . Luck Standard Bearer ( Beauceant ) . „ W . J . Thompson Standard Bearer ( Vexillum Belli ) . „ J . Brook Smith Great Prior's Banner Bearer .

CF . Millett 7 A - J „ o „ C F . Millett 7 .., . „ „ Capt . Gresley Hall > Aides-de-Camp . „ E . Swain Chamberlain . „ J . W . Shepherd 7 Captains of the „ Henry Lovegrove J Guard . „ W . H . Hodgkin Sword Bearer .

„ Wilhelm Ganz Organist . A Priory of Malta was afterwards held , and Sir Knights Mason , Drinkwater , Messenger , Wakefield , Monteuuis , Fitzgerald , Steele , Millett , Sir B . Seton , Hanley , Hennell , and Simpson were installed as Knights of Malta with the usual impressive ceremony .

A New Patent Riding Shirt.

A NEW PATENT RIDING SHIRT .

Oentlemen who are much in the saddle have experienced the discomforts of their shirts rucking or wriggling up the back , nothing is more disagreeable . Mr . Arthur Linney's Patent , of 99 , Regent-street , prevents all this . Having seen and thoroughly examined this new invention , we are bound to say that it is the best fitting and most comfortable

garment of the kind we have had brought under our notice . The front of the shirt and the back part or tail are made to fit the body , and by an ingenious arrangement the tail is buttoned round the upper part of the thighs . There is no superfluity at material and no creasing , and the buttoning is so arranged as to be of no inconvenience . At the

waist there is a band across the back , and above this the shirt is roomy and easy , giving full play for the shoulders . Hunting men will find this shirt add much to their comfort . For Dress shirts , high class hosiery , gloves and ties , Mr . Arthur Linney cannot be excelled , neither in price nor quality . He may well be styled The Hosier of Regentstreet .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On Monday evening , the ballet of ' * Nina " at the Alhambra will give way to a new one , called " Cupid Inverted , " by Mon ' s . J . Hansen , with original music specially composed by M . Jacobi , and in which Signorina Bessone will appear . The round of amusements are as continuous and varied as ever in this popular place , under Bro . C Morton ' s direction . s # tt

The Novelty is now lo be turned into a theatre for amateur displays , under the direction of Messrs L . and K . Nathan . We believe the charge tor the hire of the theatre is not to be at all extensive . We have our doubts that amateurs , whether skilled , or only beginners , are numerous enough to make it pay . The Novelty has undergone some alterations lately in its interim .

* * * At the Gaiety on Monday , the 31 st inst ., Mr . Dixey ' s American burlesque company will take possession of the theatre , and produce " Adonis . " We are unable to say much about the players , this being their first visit to our shores ; but we are sure they will receive a welcome according to their deserts , for every one just now seems bent on stretching out the right hand of fellowship to every guest , be he Colonist , Indian , or from the States .

* Miss Violet Cameron at her benefit produced a comic opera , "The Commodore , " which met with so much success that she has now announced a series of matinees , to be given at the Avenue , of this piece , which

this lady will take to America in the autumn , accompanied by Bro . Lionel Brough . We hope , as we understand that she has some share in the management of the Avenue Theatre , that Miss Cameron will give her other admirers the opportunity of seeing it in the evening .

* * * The new burlesque called " Lurline , " now being played at the Avenue , is chiefly remarkable for giv ing Mr . Arthur Roberts another opportunity of distinguishing himself in many ways which he readily makes use of . His song , " I have found it , " is encored over and over again . Miss Violet Cameron looks very beautiful , but she has not

nearly as much to do as many would like to see her have . It goes without saying that she sings with all her accustomed spirit and sweetness . Mr . Lonnen and Mr . Ramsey Danvers—the latter a new comer—contribute to the fun , whilst Miss Phyllis Broughton , with her dancing , surpasses any of her many previous efforts . " Lurline " is well worth a visit , for one is sure to be amused .

# # # _ Bros . Hare and Kendal announced the last nights of " Antoinette Rigaud , " which has been playing for a long while at the St . James ' s Theatre . The new play to be produced is by Mr . Sydney Grundy and Mr . S . Edwards , adapted from "Marlyre . " Mr . Grundy cannot complain any longer that his plays are not presented to

the London public . There is not much time to be lost for those who have not yet seen the powerful plays "Antoinette Rigaud " and " Uncle ' s Will , " in both of which Bro . and Mrs . Kendal act . We shall hope to duly notice the forthcoming piece , which is sure to be brought out with all the taste and skill for which the St . James's management is renowned .

* ' * The Lily of Leoville , " with which Miss Violet Melnotte has reopened the Comedy , has many of the elements conducive to attract those fond of comic opera , but it lacks humour . The lyrics written by Mr . Clement Scott are the best part of the new show ; the music is not unfamiliar . The action is brisk , the melodies certainly

catching , and the mounting beautiful . Mr . Hay den Coffin , who has only been on the stageabout a year , meets with much eclat , through his fine rendering of Coriolan , the local poet . Bro . Henry Bracey , the tenor , sings well , and looks handsome , as always . Miss De la Porte is brilliant in her vocal efforts as Gabrielle , and Miss Victor is , of course , funny , whilst the manageress , Miss Melnotte , is well to the front .

* * * Messrs . Russell and Bashford , after courting the public favour in various ways , now by way of tragedy , now by old English comedy , and now by a Gilbertian play , have at last struck oil , real oil , and for some weeks have been fast making up the losses they are understood to have sustained hitherto . We hope they will keep the Haymarket

in its old groove to which , it has returned , namely , high class plays , or as they term "Jim the Penman" in the programme , '' A romance of modern society . " This play by Sir Charles Young is only another instance , if that were wanting , what bad judges of good plays managers often are . " Jim the Penman "has been written some years , and was offered to several lessees , who , after reading it ,

saw nothing in it to bring luck . After being relegated to the pigeon hole , it was determined by its author to try it at a matinee , on which occasion it met with such enthusiasm that Mr . Russell , who had not seen it before , determined to bid for it . Now it is the talk of London , and without doubt is one of the finest plays ever put upon the English stage . Its story is interesting without being too

thrilling ; it deals with the present age , it is descriptive of persons one is always in contact with , its dialogue is clear , fit for any one ' s ears , and there is nothing suggestive of impropriety . We know some who have seen the piece more than once and like it better each time . The plot is now so familiar that we shall not enter into it . We advise our play-going readers to'lose no further time , if they have

not yet been , in booking seats ; they will anticipate a pleasure which will be thoroughly realised . " Jim the Penman " may have an additional interest to Masons from the fact that Lady Monckton , the wife of one so well known in the Craft , plays the chief lady ' s part , and shows herself full of dramatic power and artistic discretion in her handling of the part of Mrs . Ralston .