Annual Banquet Of The Royal Brunswick Lodge, No. 732.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE ROYAL BRUNSWICK LODGE , No . 732 .

The annual autumn banquet of the Royal Brunswick i nd ? e No . 732 , was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on the 13 th inst . The W . M ., Bro . R . Willard , oresided , and omonff those present were Bros . VV . Botting , I . P . M . j T . P . Marker , J . W . ; W . Nell , P . M ., acting S . D . j H . Ledger , ID- W . Smith , P . M . ; H . Davey , P . M . j S . H . inner . P . M . j j . H . Smith , W . A . Field , G . Clements ,

W ; Bennett , W . F . Booth , H . Tuff , F . Clements , and J . cjtonehouse ; with the following visitors , viz .: Bros . W . B . Isworth , J . W . 1636 ; F . W . Hollands , Stwd . 1636 ; F . Guv , Stwd . 1636 ; R . Nicholson , 315 ; W . R . Wood , iun . P . M . 1636 j G . Cole , P . M . and Org . 1636 ; and J VV . N . Roe , P . P . G . Org ., 1636 . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly

honoured . "The Queen and the Craft" and "The Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , " having been proposed by the W . M ., Bro . R . WILLARD , The toast of "The Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " was given by Bro . H . DAVEY . Bro . S . H . SOPER proposed "The R . W . Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , "

and , referring to the splendid gathering in the dome , when H . R . H . the Prince of Wales installed his Royal brother as Prov . Grand Master , expressed the hope that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught would soon return from India and visit the Sussex Province . The toast of " Bro . Gerard Ford , D . Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present

and Past , " was given by Bro . H . LEDGER , and acknowledged by Bros . W . SMITH and H . DAVEY . Bro . W . BOTTING , I . P . M ., then submitted the toast of "The W . M ., " and paid a high compliment to Bro . R . Willard for the excellent manner in which he had carried out his duties . TheW . M ., he said , had introduced five initiates and two joining members , and had given the

greatest satisfaction to the brethren of the lodge . Bro . R . W ILLARD , who was cordially received on rising to respond , expressed the pleasure he felt in presiding over the lodge , and bore testimony to the admirable assistance he had received from his officers . Bro . W . R . WOOD responded for "The Visitors ; " and Bros . J . STONEHOUSE and H . T ' UFF for "The Initiates and

Joining Members ; " and Bro . T . P . HARKER for "The Officers . " Toasts were given from the chair . The Tyler ' s toast , submitted by Bro . H . H . HUGHES , completed the list . During the evening some pleasing songs were sung by Bros . S . H . Soper , W . F . Booth , F . Clements , R . Nicholson , R . Willard , and G . Cole ; the duties of accompanist being ably carried out by Bro . W . N . Roe .

Testimonial To Bro. T. Fenn, Pres. B.G.P., By Lodge La France, No. 2060.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . T . FENN , PRES . B . G . P ., BY LODGE LA FRANCE , No . 2060 .

This lodge , which now numbers 50 members , which is about its desired limit , held a very interesting meeting on Monday , the 17 th inst . The VV . M ., Ernest St . Clair ,

performed the ceremonies of raising and passing in his usual perfect and impressive form . He was assisted in the performance of the ceremonies on that occasion by Bro . T . Fenn , P . B . G . P ., who had kindly undertaken the duties of S . D ., ' and who also gave the explanation of the second tracing board . The next business was the election of a new W . M . The universal wish had pointed to Bro . J .

Bue , P . P . G . W . Oxford , for that post , but at the last minute his heart failed him on account of his age and the distance , and he reluctantly sent his excuses , whereupon Bro . St . Clair was unanimously re-elected W . M . for next year . Bro . H . Bue was elected Treasurer , vice Bro . Leon Clerc , to be S . W . The usual vote for the lodge jewel having been passed ,

Bro . ST . CLAIR , W . M ., rose , and said he had a very agreeable duty to perform , he had been requested by the brethren of the Lodge La France to express their deep gratitude to Bros . Fenn and F . Richardson for the great interest and the great assistance they had always shown and given to the Lodge La France . Unfortunately Bro . F . Richardson was not there . As to Bro . Fenn , they had all

been witnesses of his constant attendance there , of the great share he had taken in their ceremonies , specially since he installed him in the chair of K . S . in that lodge . That night again he was fulfilling the duties of S . D . with that perfection which his great practice had given him , and the magnificent way in which he gave them the explanation of the Second Tracing Board in their own language must have caused

the envy of all of them . It was as a token of their gratitude that he had been requested to hand him the jewel of that lodge , which bears at the back the following inscription : "Presented to the V . W . Bro . T . Fenn , P . B . G . P ., by the W . M . and brethren of the Lodge La France , in acknowledgment of the eminent services he has rendered this lodge since its foundation . 17 th September , 188 S . "

pro . St . Clair hoped he would find , among his numerous jewels , a place for that one . Bro . Fenn , in reply , said it would be difficult for him to express , even in English , how thankful he was for that mark of their esteem , but that it was impossible for him to express himself adequately in French ; he deeply appreciated the compliment that had been paid him and he would not mix that jewel with the others , but provide or

find for it a special place on his breast . Bro . St . Clair , unaware until quite recently of his proposed re-election , then presented the lodge with a very handsome album as a souvenir of his year of office . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to refreshments . Among the visitors present were Bros . £ > r J . Monckton , P . G . W . ; Col . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; and F - Binckes , P . G . S . B .

The Winter Session of the Charterhouse Science Ijnd Art School and Literary Institute will commence on Monday , the ist October , under the presidency of the Rev . Henry Swan , M . A . During the ist Session upwards of 000 students attended the classes , of whom nearly threeourths presented themselves for examination , and were in ™ great majority of cases successful , many obtaining "ono . ur certificates from the Science and Art Department , So Kensington .

Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa.

DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL , JOHANNESBURG , SOUTH AFRICA .

The Masonic Hall , of which the foundation-stone was laid by Bro . Captain Von Brandis , Special Sanddrost , last year , was formally dedicated to the purposes of Freemasonry on Wednesday , the ist August , the ceremony being very imposing and of necessity attracting a g-ood

deal of attention . The scheme for erecting the Hall was originated by the R . W . M ., officers , and members of the Golden Thistle Lodge , No . 744 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , who were assisted by the Fraternity generally in the task of raising the necessary funds . The result is a structure which , even as it stands , is a credit to the brethren , though' it is intended that by and bye

the building shall include a banqueting-hall , ante-rooms , a caretaker's lodge , and offices , the whole being enclosed by a brick wall and iron railing . The Hall itself is 50 feet long by 25 feet wide , and 18 feet high ; the walls are broken at intervals by pilasters , and painted a light grey colour ; and the ceiling is sky blue bespangled with golden stars . The light for the present is supplied from

three small lights placed together high up in the walls , but in due course it will be lighted from a cupola ; at night three handsome five-light chandeliers are used . There are two ante-rooms , one on each side of the entrance lobby , and the fittings and appointments and upholstery work do credit to the several local establishments which have provided them .

The officers and members of the Golden Thistle Lodge and the visiting brethren assembled , to the number of about 100 , at 10 . 15 , Bro . J . Kincaid P . M . Star of the Rand , presiding in the absence ot Bro . Hart , R . W . M . of the Golden Thistle . There were also present Bros . D . P . Ross , S . W . ; Mudge , J . W . ; Fraser , Treasurer ; Dowling , Secretary ; Goad , S . D . j Holzshimer , J . D . j E .

Hancock , D . C . ; C . Cowen , as Chaplain j De Villiers , P . M ., Lewis , P . M ., and Goodwin , P . M ., as Cup Bearers j and Cummings Organist j together with the following members of the local lodges , namely : Bros . B . Klein , J . J . Morgan , E . Rothschild , C . Sellick , E . C . Garisch , C VV . Deecker , P . H . De Villiers , Robertson , E . Pistorius , R . T . Middleton , W . S . Rens , S . Lazarus , E . W . Sprawson , C .

Shaw , J . H . Ball , Wm . Stark , Thos . Moulden , A . Z . Thomas , Jos . Hugh , S . T . Bain , F . J . Avis , E . T . Heather , Alfred Barnett , Thos . Begbie , B . Danziger , Abner Cohen , Alfred Schneider , H . Levi , Albert Levy , W . Jeffreys , J . Nugent , B . W . Hall , B . Rens , D . R . McLachlan , J . Van Schoon , D . H . Doure , W . Dunbar , R . H . McLaglen , R . Jorgenson , I . Gundelfinger , J . L . Ginsberg ; Lennox

Canning , C . Serrurier , V . Symons , W . B . Mardon , L . Tollemache , E . Hancock , D . Smith , Murgotroyd , Josiah Angove , W . Hvam , A . R . Perks , W . M . Gradwell , L . Heimann , D . Finestone , B . Lapin , F . Donovan , L . B . Newman , A . King : and , as visitors , Bros . J . T . Lewis , Celtic j D . Lipinski , Southern Cross j J . Goodman , Frere Lodge ; B . Hammerschlag , Buffalo ; J . Findlay , Goede

Trow j A . Stenson , Star of the Border j J . Kincaid , Star of the Randj W . Pearson , St . Andrew's ,- B . Alexander , Worcester Lodge j G . H . Langmead , Cosmopolitan ; W . Brown , Celtic ; W . Stoyle , British Kaffrarianj H . H . Dougherty , Panmure j J . Wellbeloved , Celtic j T . W . Goodwin , Buffalo j B . Alexander , Montefiorej J . Gibson , St . Andrew ' s ; M . Myers ,

Land of Israel ; A . H . Reid , Good Will ; A . Sessil , Royal Alfred ; J . B . Smith , Umzimkulu ; J . De Meiltan , Flaming Star ; Henry Head , Buffalo ; J . W . lrder , Southern Cross ; W . A . Phillips , St . John's ; J . Freundlich , Carnarvon . Lodge having been opened , a procession was formed and headed by the Johannesburg band , which , considering the

brief period it has been in existence , played very creditably , marched to St . Mary ' s Hall , where Divine service , conducted by the Rev . J . T . Darragh , was held , a goodly number of the general public being in attendance . Prayers over , the rev . brother preached the following most admirable sermon on the text— " 1 wish you good luck in the name of the Lord : "

Gentlemen , friends of the Mystic Craft , —We welcome you heartily before the altar of God on this day of your great solemnity , in token of the ancient alliance and amity which have existed from of old between your Society and the Church , and which have prompted you to-day to offer your thanksgivings here before you proceed to the celebration of your own mystic rites . We could have wished to

receive you with more of fitting pomp and circumstance on so great an occasion , but you well know it is the opportunity , not the will , which is wanting . Together with our welcome we offer you our heartiest felicitations on the completion of that work on which you set your hands so steadily . Our welcome and felicitations are not from the lips , but from the heart , and are formed

upon high appreciation of certain distinguishing features of Masonry , of which it will be sufficient to mention one or two . First , let mc mention the high value you place upon your being bonded together in a society for the accomplishment of your works of good fellowship and beneficence . 1 look upon this as your protest against the witherirg individualism which has been the curse cf modern English life .

What you protest against is founded upon a great truth indeed , but one which has become so exaggerated as to be almost an untruth . It is unquestionably a great truth that each man is individually responsible for himself before Almighty God ; but taken apart from its corelated truths , becomes the source of much evil . God did not make man a solitary unit and place him in a

desert to work out his little life alone . He gave him social instincts , and placed him in community with fellows , so that his individuality is limited and conditioned by his duties to others , and his life is no longer an affair between himself and God alone . Then , again , who does not know of the public spirit which distinguishes Masons all the world over ? Nothing strikes one more forcibly in colonial

life than the absence of this spirit , and your Society is worthy in the colonies of it . Home parentage should be foremost to set the example of work for the common weal . Who hears in the colonies of a man founding a hospital or library of his own munificence for the good of the community in general ? Or of any other such act of

public spirit as one constantly reads of in the papers at home ? Masons are noted for their great Schools and other Charitable Institutions , and let us hope that neither the will nor the means will fail them in the colonies to emulate the spirit of their home brethren . Another feature of Masonry for which I have a hearty appreciation is your reverence for antiquity .

Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa.

We men and women of the nineteenth century are usually so puffed up with a sense of the strides in material prosperity made in our generation that we sometimes forget the lesson of wisdom bequeathed to us by the past , and despise the old ways and the old people . Your Society being , I believe , theoldest existing "human" Society , and cherishing a rooted affection for its ancient traditions ,

is a standing protest against this contempt of antiquity . I need not go further than to instance your loving preservation of your venerable ceremonial , vestments , and symbolism—symbolism which bears witness to the inner harmony between the soul of things and ideas , and between the material creation and intellectual abstractions . Neither you nor I are likely in our appreciation of symbolism to

exaggerate its importance . It is much like the valueof goodbreeding in social intercourse . What charm , what colour , what elevation of tone a well-bred man imparts to the social amenities of life ! Still we are not likely to put mere surface polish in place of real goodness of heart . But all the same polishing brings out the grain of the wood . That flavour , tone , propriety , and dignity which good manners

give to society , duly ordered ceremonial adds to public assemblies . Your ritual usage is a witness to this , though you are not likely to mistake its value and put it above more solid and substantial qualities . Heartily , therefore , gentlemen , I welcome you and felicitate you upon the completion of your temple , hoping that the example set by you in these respects may be taken to heart by other bodies in the

town . I " wish you good luck in the name of the Lord . " The procession was then re-formed , and returned to the Hall , which was then solemnly dedicated to the purposes o £ Freemasonry , the acting Chaplain offering up a prayer , and then in the course of the proceedings delivering a long and eloquent address on the principles of Masonry , and in which he briefly reviewed its history , introducing much that

is of doubtful value , and describing the events which have marked its course , more particularly in South Africa , and as to the accuracy of which there can be no question . The lodge having been raised to the Third Degree , the brethren marched thrice in procession round the hall , the grand honours being given in the intervals and at the close of the last round , and the ceremony , which was carried out from beginning to end most carefully and efficiently , having

been brought to a close , telegrams of congratulation from brethren at a distance were read , and "Hearty good wishes" having been expressed by the visitors , and a painted photograph of Bro . Hart , R . W . M . Golden Thistle , having been presented to the lodge by Bro . L . Canning , on behalf of Bro . D . H . Davies , the proceedings terminated , and the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts being duly honoured .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

For one week , commencing to-night ( Friday ) , Miss Edith Woodworth is going to give by request seven performances of " Frou Frou , " with the same cast as at the matinee a few weeks since , including Mr . Wm . Farren , Mr . Elwood , Mr . Fred . Terry , and Bro . Gilbert Farquhar , Misses Marie de Grey , H . Lindley , and Margaret Terry , and Little Minnie Terry . As the play is not often seen in

London , an opportunity is here given for making one ' s self acquainted with it . Miss Woodworth had it performed for her Buttercup and Daisy Fund , which she instituted two years ago , to give children of the very poor a few days' holiday in the country . A considerable sum was realised on that occasion . Miss Woodworth also promoted the Christmas dinner to the children , which Bro .

Toole and others have supplemented by gifts and their presence . Mr . W . H . Griffiths leaves the Globe Theatre next week , and goes to the Shaftesbury Theatre—of which Miss Wallis is the lessee—soon to be opened . Mr . Griffiths will officiate as acting manager . His large experience in that capacity well qualifies him to superintend and guide the fortunes of this new and large theatre .

* .. Not to be outdone by any rivals the Alhambra has put on a new pastoral ballet entitled " Ideala , " the invention of M . Casati , the music by M . J acobi , the popular conductor , and scenery by Mr . Ryan . The ballet "Antiope "

is still in the programme earlier in the evening , and is a picture of beautiful colour and grouping . The variety business is not quite up to the usual mark . We think the directors might strengthen that part of the entertainment . Lieutenant Cole and his comical figures are a great loss to the patrons of the Alhambra .

* # * Mr . Willie Edouin changed his programme on Saturday and put in the evening bill Mr . Mark Melford ' a farcical comedy , "Kleptomania , " which was ushered in with many tokens of success . A lady in high life is afflicted with the propensity to " annex" what does not belong to her , specially articles of jewellery which cost her husband

a large sum per annum : n compensating the owners . The family do not allow the lady to know of the disease from which she suffers , but to cure her they derive a means of engaging another Kleptomania as companion . The lady's daughter affects having inherited the complaint , and when charged with appropriating a ring , the mother is shocked . Though the plot of the piece deals

with a human infirmity , much fun , and of a harmless nature , is made out of it . By this time a few risky lines have been , we hope , excised , and the players will know their parts better . Mr . Edouin seemed often at a loss to know what to say next , but possibly his hesitation was the way which he wished to depict the character of the Rev . Dr . Smalley , Professor at Cambridge , who is engaged to

the young lady . When the learned man finds out that the thief of a valuable ring given by his aunt to him , and which he was going to present to his fiancee , is her own mother , he breaks off the engagement , having charged his laundress with the theft and locked her up . Mr . Edouin has one of the best parts he ever played . He does not

exaggerate it ; he is well supported by Miss S . Vaughan and Mr . Chevalier , but we cannot say much for Miss Bryer or Mr . Fawcett's Doctor Walton . The burlesque " Aladdin " follows , and brings to many the memory of old days at the same theatre—the Strand—when Miss Marie Wilton , now Mrs . Bancroft , and Clarke played in it , an < J